US 11,635,146 B2 · Circumferential sealing assembly with duct-fed hydrodynamic grooves

Abstract

A circumferential sealing assembly for use between a lower-pressure side with a lubricant oil therein and a higher-pressure side with a hot gas therein is presented. The assembly includes a sealing ring interposed between either a rotatable runner and a housing or a sleeve and a housing within a turbine engine. Ducts communicate the hot gas into grooves to form a thin film between the ring and the runner or the ring and the sleeve. First embodiments include grooves on the runner, ducts through the runner, and both grooves and ducts rotating with the runner. Second embodiments include grooves on the ring, ducts through the runner, and ducts rotating with the runner. Third embodiments include grooves on the ring and ducts through the ring adjacent to a runner. Fourth embodiments include grooves on the runner, ducts through the ring, and grooves rotating with the runner. Fifth embodiments include grooves on the sleeve, ducts through the sleeve, and both grooves and ducts rotating with the sleeve. Sixth embodiments include grooves on the ring, ducts through the sleeve, and ducts rotating with the sleeve. Seventh embodiments include grooves on the ring and ducts through the ring adjacent to a sleeve. Eighth embodiments include grooves on the sleeve, ducts through the ring, and grooves rotating with the sleeve.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A circumferential sealing assembly within a turbine engine for separating a lower-pressure side with a lubricant therein and a higher-pressure side with a hot gas therein comprising:

(a) a rotatable runner;
(b) a sealing ring disposed about said rotatable runner;
and
(c) a housing disposed about said sealing ring;
wherein,
said rotatable runner comprises an outer sealing surface interposed between a higher-pressure end and a lower-pressure end;
said sealing ring comprises an inner sealing surface interposed between a higher-pressure face and a lower-pressure face;
a plurality of grooves disposed along said outer sealing surface;
a plurality of ducts which communicate with said grooves, each said duct passes through said rotatable runner from an inlet at said higher-pressure end to an outlet at said groove;
said grooves and said ducts rotate with said rotatable runner;
said ducts in use receive said hot gas at said higher-pressure end via said inlets and direct said hot gas into said grooves at said outlets;
said hot gas entering said grooves in use via said ducts in combination with rotation of said grooves with said rotatable runner in use cause said hot gas to form a hydrodynamic flow within said grooves;
said grooves redirect said hot gas in direction of said inner sealing surface to form a thin film between said outer sealing surface and said inner sealing surface;
said thin film resists migration of said lubricant from said lower-pressure side to said higher-pressure side;
said grooves and said ducts avoid backflow of said hot gas to prevent migration of said lubricant to said higher-pressure side.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Circumferential sealing assembly with duct-fed hydrodynamic grooves

Life of this patent

Circumferential sealing assembly with duct-fed hydrodynamic grooves

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25